Method and apparatus for integrating interactive local internet access and downstream data transfer over a cable TV system with upstream data carried by other media

• US 6,141,682 A
• Filed: 02/04/1999
• Issued: 10/31/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cyberstar, L.L.C.
• Original Assignee: CyberStar LP
• Inventors: Barker, Keith R
• Primary Examiner(s): Flynn, Nathan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Srivastava, Vivek
• Application Number:
  US09/243,980
• Time in Patent Office: 635 Days
• Field of Search: 709/217, 345/327, 348/12, 348/13, 348/6, 348/10, 455/3.2, 455/3.1, 455/6.1, 455/6.2, 455/6.3
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2856 Access arrangements, e.g. Internet access asynchronous transfer mode networks H04L12/5601; broadband local area networks H04L12/2801; optical access or distribution networks H04Q11/0067; access to open networks H04L12/5691; digital subscriber line end-user equipment and bit-level processing of data on a PSTN-based network H04M11/00; home network gateways H04L12/2834; wireless access networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2874 Processing of data for distribution to the subscribers
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV

Abstract

A method and apparatus for communicating between information service provider systems (ISPS) and customer premise equipment (CPE) is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) transmitting a request for information from a requesting CPE on the upstream communication path, the request including a type of information; (b) based upon the type of information requested, routing the request to a selected ISPS coupled upstream and a selected ISPS coupled downstream; (c) receiving the requested information from the selected ISPS coupled upstream and the request for information from the selected ISPS coupled downstream on the downstream communication path at an associated one of a plurality of cable distribution devices, wherein the associated cable distribution device serves the requesting CPE; (d) wherein when the associated cable distribution device receives the request, routing the request to and receiving the requested information from the selected ISPS coupled downstream; (e) forming a composite signal which includes the requested information from the selected ISPS coupled upstream and the selected ISPS coupled downstream; and (f) distributing the composite signal on the cable transmission channels of the downstream path from the associated cable distribution device to the requesting CPE.

Claims

1. A method for communicating between a plurality of information service provider systems (ISPS) and a plurality of customer premise equipment (CPE) by using transmission channels for transmitting information on a downstream communication path from the plurality of ISPS to the plurality of CPE and transmission channels for transmitting requests for information on an upstream communication path from the plurality of CPE to the plurality of ISPS, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of ISPS coupled at one end of the upstream communication path and a plurality of ISPS coupled on the downstream communication path;

transmitting a request for information from a requesting one of the plurality of CPE by using one of the transmission channels on the upstream communication path, the request including a type of information to be transmitted;

based upon the type of information requested, routing the request for information to one of a selected ISPS coupled upstream or a selected ISPS coupled downstream;

receiving the requested information from the one of the selected ISPS coupled upstream or the request for information from the selected ISPS coupled downstream on one of the transmission channels of the downstream communication path at an associated one of a plurality of distribution devices, wherein the associated distribution device serves the requesting CPE;

wherein when the associated distribution device receives the request for information, routing the request to and receiving the requested information from the selected ISPS coupled downstream;

forming a composite signal which includes the requested information from the selected ISPS coupled upstream and from the selected ISPS coupled downstream; and

distributing the composite signal on one of the transmission channels of the downstream communication path from the associated distribution device to the requesting CPE.

2. A method for communicating between a plurality of ISPS and a plurality of CPE as set forth in claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting the request for information from the requesting CPE further comprising the step of transmitting the request by a modem coupled to a public switched telephone network.

3. A method for communicating between a plurality of ISPS and a plurality of CPE as set forth in claim 1, wherein the type of request for information is comprised of a request for one of interactive data services, video data and broadcast data.

4. A method for communicating between a plurality of ISPS and a plurality of CPE as set forth in claim 3, wherein the request for interactive data services is comprised of a request for internet access.

5. A method for communicating between a plurality of ISPS and a plurality of CPE as set forth in claim 1, wherein the step of routing the request for information further comprising the steps of:

providing a controller for receiving the request for information and for evaluating the type of information requested; and

wherein when the request for information is comprised of a request for interactive data services, routing the request to the selected ISPS coupled downstream.

6. A method for communicating between a plurality of ISPS and a plurality of CPE as set forth in claim 1, wherein the step of receiving the requested information and the request for information at the associated distribution device further comprising the steps of:

providing a multiplexer having a first and a second input, the first input for receiving the requested information from the selected ISPS coupled upstream, and the second input for receiving the request for information from one of the plurality of ISPS coupled downstream;

multiplexing the first input and the second input of the multiplexer to provide a multiplexed signal; and

transmitting the multiplexed signal to the associated cable distribution device on one of the transmission channels of the downstream communication path.

7. A method for communicating between a plurality of ISPS and a plurality of CPE as set forth in claim 6, wherein the step of routing the request to and receiving the requested information from the selected ISPS coupled downstream further comprising the steps of:

providing the multiplexed signal at a local data service controller and at a data channel filter;

at the local data service controller, evaluating the multiplexed signal for the request for information from one of the plurality of ISPS coupled downstream, routing the request to a local data service provider coupled to the controller, and receiving the requested information from the local data service provider; and

at the data channel filter, filtering the multiplexed signal to remove the request for information from one of the plurality of ISPS coupled downstream and providing a data channel signal that is comprised of the requested information from the selected ISPS coupled upstream.

8. A method for communicating between a plurality of ISPS and a plurality of CPE as set forth in claim 7, wherein the local data service controller is comprised of a local interactive data service controller and the request for information from one of the plurality of ISPS coupled downstream is comprised of a request for interactive data services.

9. A method for communicating between a plurality of ISPS and a plurality of CPE as set forth in claim 7, wherein the step of forming the composite signal further comprising the steps:

providing a signal combiner having two inputs and an output;

at a first input of the signal combiner, receiving the requested data services from the local data service controller;

at a second input of the signal combiner, receiving the data channel signal from the data channel filter; and

combining the first input and the second input to form the composite signal at the output of the signal combiner.

10. A method for communicating between a plurality of information service provider systems (ISPS) and a plurality of customer premise equipment (CPE) by using cable transmission channels for transmitting information on a downstream communication path from the plurality of ISPS to the plurality of CPE and separate transmission channels for transmitting requests for information on an upstream communication path from the plurality of CPE to the plurality of ISPS, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of ISPS coupled at one end of the upstream communication path and a plurality of ISPS coupled on the downstream communication path;

transmitting a request for information from a requesting one of the plurality of CPE by using a modem coupled to the requesting CPE and to a public switched telephone network, the public switched telephone network providing the separate transmission channels of the upstream communication path, wherein the request for information includes a request for at least one of interactive data services, video data and broadcast data to be transmitted;

wherein when the request for information is comprised of one of the request for video data or broadcast data, routing the request to one of the plurality of ISPS coupled upstream;

receiving the requested video data and broadcast data on one of the cable transmission channels of the downstream communication path from the selected ISPS coupled upstream;

wherein when the request for information is comprised of one of the request for interactive data services, routing the request to one of the plurality of ISPS coupled downstream;

forming a multiplexed signal which comprises the requested video data and broadcast data received from the selected ISPS coupled upstream and the request for interactive data services from one of the plurality of ISPS coupled downstream;

transmitting the multiplexed signal on one of the cable transmission channels of the downstream communication path to one of a plurality of cable distribution devices, wherein an associated one of the plurality of cable distribution devices serves the requesting CPE;

receiving the multiplexed signal at the associated cable distribution device, the associated cable distribution device having a local data service controller and a data channel filter;

providing the received multiplexed signal to the local data service controller and to the data channel filter;

at the local data service controller, wherein when the multiplexed signal comprises the request for interactive data services, routing the request to a selected one of a plurality of ISPS coupled to the local data service controller, and receiving the requested interactive data services from the selected ISPS coupled to the controller;

at the data channel filter, filtering the multiplexed signal to remove the request for interactive data services and providing a data channel signal that is comprised of the requested video data and broadcast data;

combining the requested interactive data services and the data channel signal to form a composite signal; and

distributing the composite signal on one of the cable transmission channels of the downstream communication path from the associated cable distribution device to the requesting CPE.

11. A telecommunication system for communicating between a plurality of information service provider systems (ISPS) and a plurality of customer premise equipment (CPE), said telecommunication system using cable transmission channels for transmitting information on a downstream communication path from said plurality of ISPS to said plurality of CPE and separate transmission channels for transmitting requests for information on an upstream communication path from said plurality of CPE to said plurality of ISPS, said telecommunication system comprising a plurality of ISPS coupled at one end of said upstream communication path and a plurality of ISPS coupled on said downstream communication path, said telecommunication system further comprising:

a controller having an input, a first output signal and a second output signal, said input receiving a request for information on one of said separate transmission channels of said upstream communication path from a requesting one of said plurality of CPE, said first output signal for routing said request for information to a selected one of said plurality of ISPS coupled upstream, said second output signal for routing said request for information to a selected one of said plurality of ISPS coupled downstream;

a receiver for receiving on one of said cable transmission channels of said downstream communication path said requested information from said selected one of said plurality of ISPS coupled upstream;

a multiplexer coupled to an output of said receiver and said second output of said controller, said multiplexer for multiplexing said requested information received from said selected one of said plurality of ISPS coupled upstream and said second output signal; and

a plurality of cable distribution devices each coupled to said multiplexer and serving a plurality of CPE, an associated one of said plurality of cable distribution devices serving said requesting CPE, said associated cable distribution device receiving on said cable transmission channels of said downstream communication path one of said requested information transmitted by said selected one of said plurality of ISPS coupled upstream and said second output signal;

wherein when said associated cable distribution device receives said requested information transmitted by said selected one of said plurality of ISPS coupled upstream, said associated cable distribution device distributes said requested information on one of said cable transmission channels of said downstream communication path to said requesting CPE;

wherein when said associated cable distribution device receives said second output signal, said associated cable distribution device passes said request for information to said selected one of said plurality of ISPS coupled downstream, receives on one of said cable transmission channels of said downstream communication channel said requested information from said selected one of said plurality of ISPS coupled downstream, and distributes said requested information to said requesting CPE.

12. A telecommunication system as set forth in claim 11, wherein said request for information is comprised of a request for one of broadcast data and video data from one of said plurality of ISPS coupled upstream, and a request for one of interactive data services from one of said plurality of ISPS coupled downstream.

13. A telecommunication system as set forth in claim 11, wherein said associated cable distribution device distributes a composite signal on said one of said cable transmission channels of said downstream communication path to said requesting CPE, wherein said composite signal includes said requested information transmitted by said selected one of said plurality of ISPS coupled upstream and said requested information transmitted by said selected one of said plurality of ISPS coupled downstream.

14. A telecommunication system for communicating between a plurality of information service provider systems (ISPS) and a plurality of customer premise equipment (CPE), said telecommunication system using cable transmission channels for transmitting information on a downstream communication path from said plurality of ISPS to said plurality of CPE and separate transmission channels for transmitting requests for information on an upstream communication path from said plurality of CPE to said plurality of ISPS, said telecommunication system comprising a plurality of ISPS coupled at one end of said upstream communication path and a plurality of ISPS coupled on said downstream communication path, said telecommunication system further comprising:

a plurality of transmitters, each transmitter for transmitting a request for information from a requesting one of said plurality of CPE on one of said separate transmission channels, each request identifying said requesting CPE and a selected ISPS from one of said plurality of remote ISPS and said plurality of local ISPS;

a plurality of first receivers, each of said first receivers coupled to an associated transmitter for receiving said request for information therefrom;

a controller coupled to each of said plurality of first receivers, said controller having an input, a first output signal and a second output signal, said input for receiving said request for information, said first output signal for routing said request for information to a selected one of said plurality of remote ISPS, said second output signal for routing said request for information to a selected one of said plurality of local ISPS, said routing based upon a value of said selected ISPS within said request;

a second receiver for receiving on one of said cable transmission channels said requested information from said selected one of said plurality of remote ISPS;

a multiplexer coupled to an output of said second receiver and said second output of said controller, said multiplexer for multiplexing said requested information received from said selected one of said plurality of remote ISPS and said second output signal; and

a plurality of cable distribution devices each coupled to said multiplexer and serving a plurality of CPE, an associated one of said plurality of cable distribution devices serving said requesting CPE, said associated cable distribution device receiving on said cable transmission channels one of said requested information transmitted by said selected one of said plurality of remote ISPS and said second output signal;

wherein when said associated cable distribution devices receives said requested information transmitted by said selected one of said plurality of remote ISPS, said associated cable distribution devices distributes said requested information on one of said cable transmission channels to said requesting CPE;

wherein when said associated cable distribution devices receives said second output signal, said associated cable distribution devices passes said request for information to said selected one of said plurality of local ISPS, receives on one of said cable transmission channels said requested information from said selected one of said plurality of local ISPS, and distributes said requested information to said requesting CPE.

15. A method for accessing information, comprising steps of:

originating a request for a specific type of information and transmitting the request to a communications network;

for a first type of information request, fulfilling the request by routing the request to a first type of information provider and transmitting the requested information to a first input of a combiner via a receiver unit;

for a second type of information request, fulfilling the request by routing the request to a second type of information provider, via said receiver unit, and transmitting the requested information to a second input of said combiner; and

delivering the requested type or types of information from an output of said combiner to an appropriate destination device.

16. A method as in claim 15, wherein the first type of information is comprised of non-interactive data, and wherein the second type of information is comprised of interactive data.

17. A method as in claim 15, wherein the first type of information is comprised of one of video data or broadcast data, and wherein the second type of information is comprised of interactive data.

18. A method as in claim 15, wherein the second type of information provider is coupled to the internet.

19. A method as in claim 15, wherein the step of delivering is comprised of a step of transmitting the requested type or types of information to the appropriate destination device through a coaxial cable.

20. A method as in claim 15, wherein the step of delivering is comprised of a step of transmitting the requested type or types of information to the appropriate destination device through a cable television infrastructure.

21. A system for accessing information, comprising:

a data processor for originating a request for a specific type of information and for transmitting the request to a communications network;

circuitry coupled to said communications network that is responsive to a first type of information request for fulfilling the request by routing the request to a first type of information provider, said first type of information provider having an output for transmitting the requested information to a first input of a combiner via a receiver unit, said circuitry being further responsive to a second type of information request for fulfilling the request by routing the request to a second type of information provider, via said receiver unit, said second type of information provider having an output for transmitting the requested information to a second input of said combiner; and

a delivery system for delivering the requested type or types of information from an output of said combiner to an appropriate destination device through a cable used to convey cable television signals.

22. A system as in claim 21, wherein the first type of information is comprised of non-interactive data, and wherein the second type of information is comprised of interactive data.

23. A system as in claim 21, wherein the first type of information is comprised of one of video data or broadcast data, and wherein the second type of information is comprised of interactive data.

24. A system as in claim 21, wherein the second type of information provider is coupled to the internet.